Newport County on 24 August in a game that saw Keith Keane sent off late on. However, results elsewhere meant Luton remained top of the table with 10 points from their opening four matches. On 27 August, it was confirmed that midfielder Kevin Nicholls had left the club by "respectful, mutual consent", after volunteering to be released from his contract. He had been recovering from knee surgery, and stated that he did not want to drain the club's resources while not contributing on the pitch. The same day, veteran defender Alan White left the club by mutual consent. White had not played a game for Luton since December 2009. Tamworth inflicted Luton's first defeat of the season on 28 August with a 3–1 victory at The Lamb Ground, and two days later Luton drew 1–1 at home with Hayes & Yeading United. This result left the club in fourth place in the table at the end of the month, two points behind leaders Mansfield Town. On 31 August Tom Craddock, Luton's top scorer the previous season, signed for League Two side Oxford United for an undisclosed fee. September On 2 September, striker Taiwo Atieno, who had been released from Luton in July and had subsequently been training with South African champions Supersport United, re-signed for the club on a contract until January 2011. Grimsby Town inflicted Luton's second defeat of the season on 4 September, leaving the club searching for their first win in four games. This was soon achieved in the next game, with a 2–0 home victory against Cambridge United. On 15 September, youth team midfielders Taylor Nathaniel and Adam Watkins, who had made their debuts for Luton the previous season, were sent on loan to Southern Football League Division One Central sides Barton Rovers and Arlesey Town, respectively. On 17 September, Luton beat league leaders AFC Wimbledon 3–0 with goals from George Pilkington, Zdeněk Kroča and Matthew Barnes-Homer. Young striker Dan Walker also made his debut for the club. Four days later, Luton came from behind to secure a 2–2 draw with recently relegated Darlington; Claude Gnakpa and Jake Howells scoring the Hatters' goals. Luton faced another trip to North East England four days later to face Gateshead, in a game they lost 1–0 and had striker Taiwo Atieno sent off in the first half. Atieno's red card was later rescinded by the Football Association. The club